Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age with Sasha Issenberg
Digest
Chris Hayes and Sasha Eisenberg, author of "The Lie Detectives," delve into the evolving landscape of political communication in the age of disinformation. They discuss the shift from a centralized media environment to a decentralized one, where the internet has lowered barriers to entry for political engagement but also amplified the spread of false information. Eisenberg highlights the work of Jori Craig, a digital campaign strategist who has advised political figures around the world on navigating the complexities of online disinformation. Craig emphasizes the importance of understanding the information environment, mapping out key accounts and patterns of transmission, and recognizing the difference between anomalous spikes in activity and the baseline level of conversation on a given topic. Hayes and Eisenberg also explore the challenges of traditional campaign targeting in a digital age, where the ability to track individual users and their online behavior has become increasingly difficult. They argue that the most effective tactics for dealing with disinformation involve addressing the underlying anxieties of voters rather than chasing individual pieces of misinformation. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the vaccine disinformation campaign, which highlights the dangers of low-tech frauds that prey on existing doubts and anxieties. Eisenberg emphasizes the importance of focusing on the audience that is receptive to disinformation rather than the content, tools, or source of any individual piece of misinformation.
Outlines
Disinformation as a Political Communications Problem
This Chapter discusses the challenges of disinformation in political campaigns, arguing that the most effective tactics involve addressing underlying anxieties rather than chasing individual pieces of misinformation. The conversation begins with Chris Hayes highlighting a poll that showed a significant difference in voting preferences based on where respondents got their news, with those who relied on newspapers favoring Biden by a large margin and those who got their news from YouTube and Google favoring Trump. Hayes and Sasha Eisenberg, author of "The Lie Detectives," then discuss the shift from a centralized media environment to a decentralized one, where the internet has lowered barriers to entry for political engagement but also amplified the spread of false information.
Jori Craig and the Global Perspective on Disinformation
This Chapter focuses on Jori Craig, a digital campaign strategist who has advised political figures around the world on navigating the complexities of online disinformation. Craig's experience working in countries like Moldova, Gabon, and the Philippines has given her a unique perspective on the challenges of disinformation in a global context. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the information environment, mapping out key accounts and patterns of transmission, and recognizing the difference between anomalous spikes in activity and the baseline level of conversation on a given topic.
The Challenges of Traditional Campaign Targeting in a Digital Age
This Chapter explores the challenges of traditional campaign targeting in a digital age, where the ability to track individual users and their online behavior has become increasingly difficult. Hayes and Eisenberg discuss the limitations of voter file targeting and the rise of ambient information atmospheres that shape political beliefs and ideological formation. They argue that the most effective tactics for dealing with disinformation involve addressing the underlying anxieties of voters rather than chasing individual pieces of misinformation.
The Role of Foreign Manipulation in Disinformation
This Chapter examines the role of foreign manipulation in disinformation, specifically focusing on the concerns about Russian interference in the 2016 election. Hayes and Eisenberg discuss the importance of distinguishing between different types of foreign interference, such as hack-and-leak operations and bot networks, and the need to assess the actual impact of such activities on voters. They also highlight the tendency for people to overreact to disinformation, attributing undue influence to online sources while dismissing the effectiveness of traditional communication methods.
The Dangers of Low-Tech Disinformation
This Chapter concludes with a discussion of the vaccine disinformation campaign, which highlights the dangers of low-tech frauds that prey on existing doubts and anxieties. Hayes and Eisenberg argue that the most effective way to combat disinformation is to focus on the audience that is receptive to it rather than the content, tools, or source of any individual piece of misinformation. They emphasize the importance of understanding the underlying anxieties that make people susceptible to disinformation and addressing those anxieties through effective communication.
Keywords
Disinformation
The deliberate spread of false or misleading information, often with the intent to deceive or manipulate. It is distinct from misinformation, which is the unintentional spread of false information. Disinformation is often used in political campaigns to influence public opinion or undermine opponents.
Political Communication
The process of communicating political messages to audiences, including voters, the media, and other stakeholders. It encompasses a wide range of activities, such as campaign advertising, public relations, and social media engagement. In the digital age, political communication has become increasingly complex, with the rise of new technologies and platforms that have both facilitated and complicated the spread of information.
Jori Craig
A digital campaign strategist who has advised political figures around the world on navigating the complexities of online disinformation. Craig's experience working in countries like Moldova, Gabon, and the Philippines has given her a unique perspective on the challenges of disinformation in a global context. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the information environment, mapping out key accounts and patterns of transmission, and recognizing the difference between anomalous spikes in activity and the baseline level of conversation on a given topic.
Ambient Information Atmosphere
The overall environment of information that surrounds individuals, shaping their beliefs and opinions. This atmosphere is not necessarily targeted or intentional, but rather a result of the constant flow of information through various channels, including social media, news outlets, and personal conversations. It is a key factor in shaping political beliefs and ideological formation.
Voter File Targeting
A traditional campaign tactic that involves using voter files to identify and target specific groups of voters with tailored messages. This method relies on leveraging information about voters' offline identities, such as their addresses and demographics, to create targeted lists. However, in the digital age, the effectiveness of voter file targeting has been diminished by the increasing difficulty of tracking users' online behavior and the rise of ambient information atmospheres.
Vaccine Disinformation Campaign
A widespread campaign of false or misleading information about vaccines, which has had a significant impact on public health. This campaign has been driven by a variety of factors, including distrust of medical authorities, conspiracy theories, and the spread of misinformation through social media. It highlights the dangers of low-tech frauds that prey on existing doubts and anxieties.
The Lie Detectives
A book by Sasha Eisenberg that explores the challenges of disinformation in political campaigns. The book examines the work of digital campaign strategists who are trying to navigate the complexities of online disinformation and develop effective tactics for combating it. It provides insights into the evolving landscape of political communication in the digital age.
Q&A
What are the key challenges of disinformation in political campaigns?
The key challenges of disinformation in political campaigns include the shift from a centralized media environment to a decentralized one, the difficulty of tracking individual users and their online behavior, and the tendency for people to overreact to disinformation. The most effective tactics for dealing with disinformation involve addressing the underlying anxieties of voters rather than chasing individual pieces of misinformation.
Who is Jori Craig and what is her expertise?
Jori Craig is a digital campaign strategist who has advised political figures around the world on navigating the complexities of online disinformation. Her experience working in countries like Moldova, Gabon, and the Philippines has given her a unique perspective on the challenges of disinformation in a global context. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the information environment, mapping out key accounts and patterns of transmission, and recognizing the difference between anomalous spikes in activity and the baseline level of conversation on a given topic.
What is the ambient information atmosphere and how does it shape political beliefs?
The ambient information atmosphere is the overall environment of information that surrounds individuals, shaping their beliefs and opinions. This atmosphere is not necessarily targeted or intentional, but rather a result of the constant flow of information through various channels, including social media, news outlets, and personal conversations. It is a key factor in shaping political beliefs and ideological formation.
How has the effectiveness of traditional campaign targeting been affected by the digital age?
The effectiveness of traditional campaign targeting has been diminished by the increasing difficulty of tracking users' online behavior and the rise of ambient information atmospheres. Voter file targeting, which relies on leveraging information about voters' offline identities, is no longer as effective in a digital age where users' online behavior is often more fluid and less predictable.
What are the dangers of low-tech disinformation?
Low-tech disinformation, such as the vaccine disinformation campaign, can be just as dangerous as more sophisticated forms of disinformation. These campaigns prey on existing doubts and anxieties, and can have a significant impact on public health and political discourse.
What is the most effective way to combat disinformation?
The most effective way to combat disinformation is to focus on the audience that is receptive to it rather than the content, tools, or source of any individual piece of misinformation. It is important to understand the underlying anxieties that make people susceptible to disinformation and address those anxieties through effective communication.
Show Notes
Table of contents
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